Tisha Campbell- Martin and Duane Martin are one of Hollywood’s most-loved couples. They have been married for 21 years, which is a very long time in the regular world and damn near like a miracle in the entertainment game. The Martins have 2 sons, Xen and Ezekiel, and when we saw them recently, we were reminded of just how Old School we really are.

Their Painful Revelation & Triumph About Their Youngest Son

They’re sons are growing up at lightening speed, but parenting their babies didn’t come without a few hurdles along the way. Tisha and Duane have had their fair share of challenges. Many of the challenges that they faced as Mr. and Mrs. could cause some marriages to dissolve. However, the adversities that the Martins faced made their love for one another that much stronger.

In 1996, they jumped the broom and gave birth to their son, Xen, in August of 2001. Xen was deemed autistic by doctors as an infant. In an interview with Essence magazine, Tisha revealed that she noticed something was different about her child after he received a Hepatitis B shot. According to Tisha, she believes that the shot attributed to her son being autistic.

“Right after [Xen] got the Hepatitis B shot; I noticed a difference the second day of life. There was just something different and I kept telling everyone who walked in the room, ‘Something is up with this baby’ and they kept saying no you’re a new mom. The same exact thing happened with my nephew. He started having seizures and autistic-like symptoms. I asked if he’d gotten the Hepatitis B shot and they said yes. I couldn’t say anything. So when you asked me do I think [vaccinations] can attribute to autism, I think it might have something to do with it, because of what I’ve seen from my particular family,” Tisha Campbell-Martin revealed to Essence.

Tisha, Duane and Xen outside their Los Angeles home, Summer 2006.

In speaking with Essence Magazine, Tisha shared the importance of spreading awareness about the disorder and helping to promote acceptance of children with autism. She teamed up with four other mothers of autistic children in 2011 to produce a short film, called Colored My Mind, which was screened at the MegaFest International Faith and Film Festival. Campbell-Martin also published a children’s book called My Brother Doesn’t Want to Play to help children cope with having a sibling who is “different.” While Xen has made great progress as a child with autism, the road was rough. Tisha told Essence that detecting autism early in a child is important and can mean the difference between him or her thriving in society or simply passing along.

“Xen was non-verbal [when he was younger], explained the star. He would flap his arms and rock back and forth. He’s never been…in a special needs class because I wanted him to model after typical kids and now he’s a typical kid. He has a girlfriend and he is now speaking; you can’t shut him up. He says, ‘I used to be autistic and don’t be telling my girlfriend I used to be autistic either.’ So I’m blessed because we were able to catch it early.”

Tisha and Duane were regularly seen as a couple on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood. In addition to that, the couple runs their fine dining restaurant in L.A. named after their first born, also called Xen.

Recently, the Martin boys were pictured with Duane as he celebrated his 52nd birthday, looking like he’s aging in reverse. Do your thing Duane!

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